Post by Merita on Sept 24, 2019 4:43:40 GMT
Part of winning is losing, part of losing is learning, and part of learning is figuring out what the loser had done wrong.
Fresh Off The Boat
Merita and Koume
The invitation was given a while ago now, and travel by boat was not a strong point of the hapless gym leader, who hung pathetically off the side of the boat with arms curling tightly onto the railing. She had little to do with boats until now, ergo her sea legs were not particularly developed.
Next to the nauseous gym leader was a Kirlia, standing on an elevated platform that made some height to the railing. Concern was written all over the little ballerina-like Pokemon, and when the thought finally occurred to her, she touched the back of the gym leader's back with a green aura running through her fingers.
A refreshing sensation washed over the woman, and she let out a little sigh of relief. "Oh, Emi, thank you for that..." she reached over and gently brushed the Kirlia's head, "... But you ought to save your strength for now. You never know if someone is going to challenge us right out of the port."
Emi let out a little trill and shook her head in disagreement.
"Such a thoughtful child," laughed the gym leader. She looked up to the horizon as an island began to creep into view, "Is that it?"
As the two of them gazed upon the approaching island, there was an eerie glint upon the window behind them.
Pasio Port
Upon arrival, the passengers of the boat excitedly disembarked. Trainers of all walks of life made their way into the port grounds, some already eagerly seeking out partners, and others testing the might of their Pokemon against one another.
The gym leader stood in the midst with her Kirlia in her arms, looking here and there with eyes full of enthusiasm. "There are so many people out here..." said the woman with a sigh, "It's amazing to think we were invited."
"Oh, there she is. Gym Leader Merita!"
An excitable man in a white suit waved to the gym leader and pushed his way through the crowd to meet with her. "So wonderful to see you made it. You are much more beautiful in person! Oh, yes, and you have no idea what an honor you've been given to participate in the Pokemon Masters League!"
"It's... well, it's an honor alright," Merita responded with a chuckle, "I understand that I've received a... special kind of invitation?"
The man suddenly drew close and turned down the volume of his voice. "Ah, yes, yes, about that. We ought not talk about it in the open... shall we talk somewhere privately?"
A brow on Merita's fair face cocked upward, and with a reluctant nod of her head, followed him into a particularly large Pokemon Center.
Pasio Pokemon Center, Staff Room
"So... I'm going to be a PML Leader."
"Yes, that's right!"
"And these badges..."
"Are given to trainers who best you in battle!"
"... So I guess this means I'll be..."
"Relied on to fight your very best!"
"Targeted is the word I'm thinking."
"Oh, don't worry about it. Your Kirlia looks like an able-bodied Pokemon! I'm certain you two make an excellent team!"
"Kriii!"
"Not you, too, Emi..."
"Yes, yes! You two will enjoy the benefits of choosing a team. Be discreet about it, though! It would be embarrassing for you to have to battle trainers without a proper team and have to give them the badge!"
"I--"
"Oh, look at the time! I ought to be going! I need to meet another PML Leader. Toodles!"
... What a landmine...
Merita stepped out onto the stone walkway from the Pokemon Center and made her way to the center of the port, her heart heavy with apprehension. She glanced down to the bag now resting against her hip, peeking into its top and catching glimpse of all the shining badges inside of it. Emi, who quietly plodded next to her, sensed her mistress' uneasiness and reached up to tug her skirt.
"... Oh, Emi, it's just not the same," sighed Merita with a shake of her head, "I mean... it is sort of the same, but the way this is going about isn't." She took a good look around the plaza and noticed immediately that many of the trainers from earlier had already left, and begun their adventure.
"Pardon us."
Merita turned her head to the voice and spotted two unusual individuals approaching her. One was a tall, burly man with fierce eyes, and the other was a woman who wore clothes suggesting a rebellious nature.
"We overheard yer conversation in the Pokemon Center. You got badges for us, right?" said the woman with a sneer, "Two on one is hardly a match, so you should just hand over our badges."
Sensing the hostility the two held, Emi slid in front of Merita with a shrill growl, and the leader sighed. "I can't do that, you know. How about you two come back when I'm ready?"
However, a Houndoor leapt from behind the punk-like woman and snarled, and immediately Emi cried back in indignation.
"Looks like it's on!" laughed the tall man, "Go, Mandibuzz!" And at his command, the diapered vulture swooped in from above and pushed Emi to the ground to peck at her face.
"Stop this!" Merita shouted with her hands gripping the back of her head, "This isn't right! Stop this right now!"